Step 2

[ophthowannabe1]

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I just received my STEP 1 score of 245. While not way above average for ophtho, I don't think that I will want to risk taking STEP 2, just in case I don't do as well.

With that in mind, how do folks normally plan taking their step 2

 

[DOCnAbox]

Take step 2 in Sept. When you get score back it won't be on application but you can bring it with you on interviews and choose to show it or not.

 

[Hopefulone09]

Make sure that you do not delay it very long. You can take it anytime and chose not to include it however TY/prelims want to see it. I made the mistake of waiting too long for STEP 2 and lost out on a couple interviews

 

[futuremd16]

Hello all,
I know this is an older thread and this question has been beaten down too many times...but I would love your input and advice!
Everyone says if you have a decent Step 1, delay CK.
My step 1 is 250, and I know the average for ophtho is creeping up. My application is obviously already submitted. I am scheduled to take CK by the end of this month, but there's no way I will be ready and prepared to do well on it.
The above poster mentions that he lost out on TY interviews because of not having Step 2 score in. Have any of you had that experience? I didn't know TY programs had that requirement. I was thinking of taking it mid-November (hoping to have time in between interviews) after having my sub-I medicine month in October. So the score will not be out till mid-December. What do you guys think? Will I be okay?
Thank you and I love you all!

 

[taco bell]

yeah, i would delay step 2 as much as possible. Don't worry about prelim and ty year sports -- they are easy to come by. The worst thing would be to take step 2 unprepared and do bad on it.. Heck, you can even scramble into a nice prelim year spot and save all your $$$ for flights, hotels, rental cars that you would have spent interviewing.. just my 2 cents.

Just remember that most ophthalmology interviews occur in october, nov and early december

 

[PosteriorEmbryotoxon]

Hello all,
I know this is an older thread and this question has been beaten down too many times...but I would love your input and advice!
Everyone says if you have a decent Step 1, delay CK.
My step 1 is 250, and I know the average for ophtho is creeping up. My application is obviously already submitted. I am scheduled to take CK by the end of this month, but there's no way I will be ready and prepared to do well on it.
The above poster mentions that he lost out on TY interviews because of not having Step 2 score in. Have any of you had that experience? I didn't know TY programs had that requirement. I was thinking of taking it mid-November (hoping to have time in between interviews) after having my sub-I medicine month in October. So the score will not be out till mid-December. What do you guys think? Will I be okay?
Thank you and I love you all!

Great questions, I have been wondering the same! I was under the impression that since we have all submitted our applications then at this point, when we get our Step 2 scores back then it is our choice whether or not to share this information with residency programs? Aka the programs don't automatically get a score report from NBME when our Step 2 scores are released right? Can anyone confirm or debunk this?

On the same note, how much do Step 2 scores factor into the residency program decision making? I believe your Step 1 score is high enough that Step 2 could only hurt you. Getting a 250+ on Step 2 would only confirm what they already know from your Step 1 but getting a lower than expected score might hurt you.

 

[futuremd16]

Great questions, I have been wondering the same! I was under the impression that since we have all submitted our applications then at this point, when we get our Step 2 scores back then it is our choice whether or not to share this information with residency programs? Aka the programs don't automatically get a score report from NBME when our Step 2 scores are released right? Can anyone confirm or debunk this?

On the same note, how much do Step 2 scores factor into the residency program decision making? I believe your Step 1 score is high enough that Step 2 could only hurt you. Getting a 250+ on Step 2 would only confirm what they already know from your Step 1 but getting a lower than expected score might hurt you.

Thank you Taco Bell!

Posteriorembryotoxon - I was referring to the transitional year programs. If you glance at the post above mine, the poster mentioned that he didn't get enough TY interviews due to not having his score back in time. I just went through the thread of 2014-2015 TY Interviews, and it seems that programs offer multiple dates, even into January. So once you get your step 2 score back, if it is higher, then you could personally email programs and say you're interested if they haven't sent you an interview invite. As far as ophthalmology programs go, I have gone through previous threads and it seems that step 2 is not that crucial unless your step 1 was really low or you made significant improvement in your CK score.

 

[Bronze Medal]

Hello all,
I know this is an older thread and this question has been beaten down too many times...but I would love your input and advice!
Everyone says if you have a decent Step 1, delay CK.
My step 1 is 250, and I know the average for ophtho is creeping up. My application is obviously already submitted. I am scheduled to take CK by the end of this month, but there's no way I will be ready and prepared to do well on it.
The above poster mentions that he lost out on TY interviews because of not having Step 2 score in. Have any of you had that experience? I didn't know TY programs had that requirement. I was thinking of taking it mid-November (hoping to have time in between interviews) after having my sub-I medicine month in October. So the score will not be out till mid-December. What do you guys think? Will I be okay?
Thank you and I love you all!

I initially planned to take Step 2 in July, but ended up pushing it all the way back to late October. I submitted both my ophtho and TY applications without it. Got plenty of interviews from great programs. Given your Step 1 score I wouldn't sweat it. Take it when you are ready.